American basketball icon Michael Jordan’s observation that “talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships” explains why the majority of coaches irrespective of sport, are hard-wired to place great store in the tried and trusted when it comes to picking teams and squads. There aren’t many coaches who are willing to double down on promise over pedigree before a ball has been passed or kicked.
Simon Easterby, Ireland’s interim head coach in the absence of Andy Farrell, will confirm an enlarged Six Nations squad on Wednesday afternoon. The injury profile is trending in the right direction with Dan Sheehan, Peter O’Mahony, James Lowe, Hugo Keenan and Jacob Stockdale set to regain full fitness imminently.
One of the few areas of debate will be a third scrumhalf following Craig Casey’s unfortunate injury, a process that will provide the answer as to whether form or past achievement holds sway. Caolin Blade played a pivotal role as a replacement in Ireland’s second Test win against the Springboks in Durban in his general play and decision-making.
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Since the start of the season, the 30-year-old has played 11 games for Connacht but started only three. Ben Murphy (23) was in the run-on team for the first seven games in the United Rugby Championship, and eight overall, and has racked up seven tries in 10 matches.
Ulster’s Nathan Doak (23), who was called up to South Africa when Casey picked up an injury in the first Test in Pretoria, has started eight of 11 matches – John Cooney has suffered a couple of injuries – including the last six straight.
So, to whom does Easterby turn? Blade, who proved his mettle in the white heat of the Durban end game but has played second fiddle at club level; Doak, the next cab off that particular rank when called out to South Africa and who has had regular game time as first choice with his province this season; or Murphy the shooting star and in-form scrumhalf.
Easterby is not tied to a binding agreement to have to play his third-choice scrumhalf if Jamison Gibson-Park or Conor Murray, or both, picked up injuries. But his decision offers an insight as to where the current weighting lies in terms of form or experience.
Who would benefit most from being selected in the squad and getting a weeklong training camp in Portugal? Easterby will provide an answer to that question, but its message will carry a broader context across the squad. Farrell has been consistently amenable to promoting young talent.
Injuries facilitated Ireland debuts for prop Thomas Clarkson and hooker Gus McCarthy in the November Test series. Sam Prendergast and Cormac Izuchukwu matched that feat having served their apprenticeship in South Africa during the summer. A common bond is that they all went on tour to South Africa with Emerging Ireland, as did Blade and Doak on a previous iteration.
The Six Nations is a tournament, one in which Ireland are the defending champions so there is less inclination or requirement for any pin-sticking promotion of talent. Ireland have an upcoming A international and also a summer tour without those selected to tour with the Lions, to Georgia and Portugal: a jumping off point to assess young talent with a view to the next World Cup in Australia (2027).
Results inform selection. If Ireland go well initially in the Six Nations change will be minimal. What is arguably more interesting is what happens back in the provinces. Matthew Devine is a very talented 20s Grand Slam-winning scrumhalf at Connacht and he will put pressure on Blade and Murphy for game time.
It will be mirrored in the other provinces. Injury has stymied Cormac Foley (25) of late and in his absence Fintan Gunne (21) has presented his credentials impressively; but both have to get past Luke McGrath to backup Gibson-Park at Leinster.
Paddy Patterson (26) and Ethan Coughlan (22) in Munster must find match minutes, while this year’s Irish-20s scrumhalf Will Wootton (Sale Sharks) was very impressive at Donnybrook last Saturday week. That is the deep dive but at surface level Easterby must decide what is moment specific and appropriate when it comes to choosing that third scrumhalf.
It’s not just the nines, secondrow cum flanker Thomas Ahern (24) was previously named in a Six Nations squad only for injury to intervene while prop Jack Boyle (22) got a taste of the extended Ireland squad environment as a young player of interest a couple of months ago. It would not be a surprise if either was included.
In an extended squad there is always scope to welcome a fresh face or two to galvanise everyone. Easterby will decide if now is the time and place to pursue that avenue.
